'No anti-incumbency mood in Punjab'

Punjab BJP chief Vijay Sampla, also the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, is a man of few words. Fresh from intensive election campaign in rural Punjab and the 'Vijay Sankalp Yatra', he spent some time with Vidyarthi Kumar for an interview for Power Politics. Excerpts:

Vijay Sampla Q:How is the Punjab election spanning out for the Akali Dal-BJP alliance? You all are in power for last 10 years. There has been a strong anti-incumbency wave. Some BJP leaders even suggested dumping Akalis and going alone?

Vijay Sampla: You have raised a few relevant questions certainly but some of your observation is not correct. In fact, our reading is there is no antiincumbency wave in Punjab. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's developmental agenda is speaking for itself. The Akali Dal-BJP alliance in Punjab for last 10 years has been working for development. You ask me to name a few, I will say, we have a long list of developmental works in the past and a clear road map for future. These factors and Prime Minister Modi's image of a performing Prime Minister and as a catalyst of development has able to break the anti-incumbency wave.
Q:What about suggestion for dumping the Akalis? Would it have been better if the BJP went to the polls on its own to help expand its base?

A:Again, this is a relevant question but some of the matters you refer are not correct. My Vijay Sankalp Yatra (Victory pledge campaign) went on well. It ended on January 8 and has given us immense confidence that the people are with us. Results will show that I am not exaggerating things. Now coming to your question on Akali Dal-BJP alliance, it's true that a few months back a section of BJP leaders in Punjab favoured dissociating with Parkash Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal and wanted our party to contest alone. It was argued that this would have helped expand our BJP base. The argument was in the event we stay with alliance, there will be status quo and the party base will not grow.

Q:But was it not to counter anti-incumbency wave and there was an attempt to make Akali leadership the scapegoat?

A: No, this is absolutely not true. The suggestion by some local Punjab BJP leaders was certainly not to run away from the anti-incumbency wave as was made out to be. Some of our party workers and state leaders wanted to contest alone. But all issues were examined and the party collectively then decided to continue alliance with a trustworthy party like Akali Dal.

Q: But, can you tell us what was your suggestion? As Punjab BJP chief and a key central Minister from the state did you want the alliance to continue ?

A:Ha ha (laughs mildly). My point was very clear, we have finally taken the decision collectively. And in our party once a decision is taken collectively, we do not look back – at what was individual opinion. Then party decision is final and party is always right.

Q:How do you analyse at the collective decision itself?

A:Look, let me make certain things very clear. In my party BJP, when it comes to dealing with the allies, the BJP never examines loss and gain issues. Our pledge is always for mutual growth of all partners. That is why NDA has succeeded and grown so well over the years. We want entire alliance to grow. So in Punjab, we want Akalis to grow as much we want the growth of BJP also. Overall we want good of the state and the country at the larger scale. We finally decided to contest 23 seats out of 117 seats with a renewed sincerity. I am confident of doing well for the alliance. In 2012, out of 117 seats Akali Dal had won 56 seats and BJP 12. In 2007 polls, the Akali Dal strength in Assembly was 48 and BJP 19 seats.

Q: You are really sounding very confident. So, the Akali-BJP is again coming to power?

A: That's true. We will convincingly win, and I am very confident about it. You must understand, I am not making my prediction either sitting in Chandigarh, Patiala or Delhi. Neither my assessment is based on social networking feedback. In fact, my confidence has only grown manifold after the campaign tour – Vijay Sankalp Yatra. You know why? More than anything else, my confidence has soared high as an overwhelming number of women voters attended our roadside meetings often braving cold wave and rain. This was unthinkable.

Like any skeptical politician, I would have been cautious to predict about elections results. But the presence of women folks voluntarily only showed that there is good support base for BJP. As a politician of many years, my understanding is that when a man and a youth come to attend election meetings, the reasons could be many; but when women come out readily, it shows entire family and the society by and large will back the alliance.

Q: And you think, this endorsement by women section will remain till the polling day?

A: Yes, it will stay. Look, such phenomenal endorsement was seen in 2014 Lok Sabha polls in favour of Narendra Modi. Hence my confidence. I can tell you we will win with bigger margins than 2012.

Q: Now let us face some real political issues. What about demonetization? This will be a real acid test this time? Whether demonetisation move would harm Akali-BJP poll prospects?

A: You could be again missing the basic point. People of Punjab are with the Prime Minister in his crusade against black money. The common people across India have endorsed demonetisation scheme. They trust the sincerity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has taken a bold step. In Punjab, people see demonetisation as a 'bitter medicine' being given by a dutiful, caring and concerned mother to her child. The inconvenience is to be expected. But it will bring happiness and sound health for the child.

When entire country's economy is being repaired, people are ready to make sacrifices. That is why despite attempts by the Congress and other opposition parties, people did not oppose demonetisation as an idea. Nowhere there was a big problem. In small towns and villages, two months passed off quite normally as people understood the purpose of the programme. In cities, some cash crunch prevailed but things have been overcome. Opposition parties thus failed to instigate the people of India.

Q: How much black money flow was curtailed ? Will demonetization fight terror funding?

A: Nobody said, there would be magical outcome. But serious efforts bring in positive results. In the past no such effort was made, that's an important aspect and people of India have appreciated this boldness of the Prime Minister. Thus, the note ban has hit at the 'nerve centre' of terror funding, the link was broken and those trying to create "public nuisance by stone pelting" in states like Jammu and Kashmir and north east suffered a major blow. This was no mean achievement.

Q: Politically, the note ban has hit regional forces? Even your ally Shiv Sena was not happy?

A: See, from everyone around the objection was about people's inconveniences. These have been addressed. But, yes, I agree the demonetization also hit the regional forces especially those banking on the politics of cash. Therefore, you look around and see major regional parties like Trinamool, Samajwadi and BSP are nervous.

Q: Coming to your rivals in Punjab, what do you have to speak about the emergence of AAP as a force and Congress or leaders like Capt Amarinder Singh?

A: AAP is only a hyped force. Now on their own the AAP leadership realizes that they hardly have a chance in Punjab. My point is both the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party are simply not showing sincerity towards Punjab. In fact, both are callously taking the voters for granted. Congress leader Capt Amarinder Singh has been a selfseeker, an 'ayashi' always. As Chief Minister, he hardly had time for even his own ministers. There was gross non-performance, so people of Punjab rejected Congress in two elections.

With regard to the AAP, the party came to Punjab only to exploit the political turmoil. Even the AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has been charged with "selling tickets" by his own partymen in Punjab. AAP came to Punjab only with ulterior motives. Now, they say they do not have money to contest polls. This means Kejriwal has accepted defeat.

Q: You mentioned local AAP Punjab leaders being not happy with Kejriwal?

A:You see, Kejriwal deliberately did not allow any local AAP leader to emerge and thus, Sucha Singh Chhottepur was removed from the post of Punjab AAP convener. This was done as Delhi Chief Minister and his coterie suffered "inferiority complex and felt insecure" about Punjab-based leaders of their own party. AAP also split as their elected MPs moved out of the party fold.

Kejriwal is master in making false promises, now also he is promising moon. He forgets he failed to deliver whatever he promised in Delhi. And on Congress manifesto, I must say, the Congress manifesto was like 'Khayali pulao (wishful thinking)'. It was a simple "waste of paper". The Congress had never fulfilled the promise of loan waiver of farmers, it made in 1992. It seems they have not changed since then, and only relying on false promises and wishful thinking.



		EDITOR'S MAIL MATTERS OF PUBLIC POLICY FIVE-STATE POLL PUNJAB ELECTION ON RECORD FRANKLY SPEAKING REALPOLITIK CHANGING POLITICAL PROFILES THE NIGHT THAT WAS RBI AUTONOMY A DIVIDED PARTY DIDI'S POLITICS INDIA ESSAY VOICE FROM LONDON 45TH U.S. PRESIDENT HITS & MISSES MIXED BLESSING ENVIRONMENTAL NEGLECT BOOK BAZAAR BOOK BAZAAR BOOK BAZAAR YOGA IN DAILY LIFE-X SIGNS OF THE TIMES INTERVIEW BOLLYWOOD PANORAMA TRIBUTE THAT HEROIC EVENT LIVING WITH NATURE ART OF LIVING Issue:February' 2017 Subscribe Now	ON RECORD 'No anti-incumbency mood in Punjab' Punjab BJP chief Vijay Sampla, also the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, is a man of few words. Fresh from intensive election campaign in rural Punjab and the 'Vijay Sankalp Yatra', he spent some time with Vidyarthi Kumar for an interview for Power Politics. Excerpts: Vijay Sampla Q:How is the Punjab election spanning out for the Akali Dal-BJP alliance? You all are in power for last 10 years. There has been a strong anti-incumbency wave. Some BJP leaders even suggested dumping Akalis and going alone? Vijay Sampla: You have raised a few relevant questions certainly but some of your observation is not correct. In fact, our reading is there is no antiincumbency wave in Punjab. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's developmental agenda is speaking for itself. The Akali Dal-BJP alliance in Punjab for last 10 years has been working for development. You ask me to name a few, I will say, we have a long list of developmental works in the past and a clear road map for future. These factors and Prime Minister Modi's image of a performing Prime Minister and as a catalyst of development has able to break the anti-incumbency wave. Q:What about suggestion for dumping the Akalis? Would it have been better if the BJP went to the polls on its own to help expand its base? A:Again, this is a relevant question but some of the matters you refer are not correct. My Vijay Sankalp Yatra (Victory pledge campaign) went on well. It ended on January 8 and has given us immense confidence that the people are with us. Results will show that I am not exaggerating things. Now coming to your question on Akali Dal-BJP alliance, it's true that a few months back a section of BJP leaders in Punjab favoured dissociating with Parkash Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal and wanted our party to contest alone. It was argued that this would have helped expand our BJP base. The argument was in the event we stay with alliance, there will be status quo and the party base will not grow. Q:But was it not to counter anti-incumbency wave and there was an attempt to make Akali leadership the scapegoat? A: No, this is absolutely not true. The suggestion by some local Punjab BJP leaders was certainly not to run away from the anti-incumbency wave as was made out to be. Some of our party workers and state leaders wanted to contest alone. But all issues were examined and the party collectively then decided to continue alliance with a trustworthy party like Akali Dal. Q: But, can you tell us what was your suggestion? As Punjab BJP chief and a key central Minister from the state did you want the alliance to continue ? A:Ha ha (laughs mildly). My point was very clear, we have finally taken the decision collectively. And in our party once a decision is taken collectively, we do not look back – at what was individual opinion. Then party decision is final and party is always right. Q:How do you analyse at the collective decision itself? A:Look, let me make certain things very clear. In my party BJP, when it comes to dealing with the allies, the BJP never examines loss and gain issues. Our pledge is always for mutual growth of all partners. That is why NDA has succeeded and grown so well over the years. We want entire alliance to grow. So in Punjab, we want Akalis to grow as much we want the growth of BJP also. Overall we want good of the state and the country at the larger scale. We finally decided to contest 23 seats out of 117 seats with a renewed sincerity. I am confident of doing well for the alliance. In 2012, out of 117 seats Akali Dal had won 56 seats and BJP 12. In 2007 polls, the Akali Dal strength in Assembly was 48 and BJP 19 seats. Q: You are really sounding very confident. So, the Akali-BJP is again coming to power? A: That's true. We will convincingly win, and I am very confident about it. You must understand, I am not making my prediction either sitting in Chandigarh, Patiala or Delhi. Neither my assessment is based on social networking feedback. In fact, my confidence has only grown manifold after the campaign tour – Vijay Sankalp Yatra. You know why? More than anything else, my confidence has soared high as an overwhelming number of women voters attended our roadside meetings often braving cold wave and rain. This was unthinkable. Like any skeptical politician, I would have been cautious to predict about elections results. But the presence of women folks voluntarily only showed that there is good support base for BJP. As a politician of many years, my understanding is that when a man and a youth come to attend election meetings, the reasons could be many; but when women come out readily, it shows entire family and the society by and large will back the alliance. Q: And you think, this endorsement by women section will remain till the polling day? A: Yes, it will stay. Look, such phenomenal endorsement was seen in 2014 Lok Sabha polls in favour of Narendra Modi. Hence my confidence. I can tell you we will win with bigger margins than 2012. Q: Now let us face some real political issues. What about demonetization? This will be a real acid test this time? Whether demonetisation move would harm Akali-BJP poll prospects? A: You could be again missing the basic point. People of Punjab are with the Prime Minister in his crusade against black money. The common people across India have endorsed demonetisation scheme. They trust the sincerity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has taken a bold step. In Punjab, people see demonetisation as a 'bitter medicine' being given by a dutiful, caring and concerned mother to her child. The inconvenience is to be expected. But it will bring happiness and sound health for the child. When entire country's economy is being repaired, people are ready to make sacrifices. That is why despite attempts by the Congress and other opposition parties, people did not oppose demonetisation as an idea. Nowhere there was a big problem. In small towns and villages, two months passed off quite normally as people understood the purpose of the programme. In cities, some cash crunch prevailed but things have been overcome. Opposition parties thus failed to instigate the people of India. Q: How much black money flow was curtailed ? Will demonetization fight terror funding? A: Nobody said, there would be magical outcome. But serious efforts bring in positive results. In the past no such effort was made, that's an important aspect and people of India have appreciated this boldness of the Prime Minister. Thus, the note ban has hit at the 'nerve centre' of terror funding, the link was broken and those trying to create "public nuisance by stone pelting" in states like Jammu and Kashmir and north east suffered a major blow. This was no mean achievement. Q: Politically, the note ban has hit regional forces? Even your ally Shiv Sena was not happy? A: See, from everyone around the objection was about people's inconveniences. These have been addressed. But, yes, I agree the demonetization also hit the regional forces especially those banking on the politics of cash. Therefore, you look around and see major regional parties like Trinamool, Samajwadi and BSP are nervous. Q: Coming to your rivals in Punjab, what do you have to speak about the emergence of AAP as a force and Congress or leaders like Capt Amarinder Singh? A: AAP is only a hyped force. Now on their own the AAP leadership realizes that they hardly have a chance in Punjab. My point is both the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party are simply not showing sincerity towards Punjab. In fact, both are callously taking the voters for granted. Congress leader Capt Amarinder Singh has been a selfseeker, an 'ayashi' always. As Chief Minister, he hardly had time for even his own ministers. There was gross non-performance, so people of Punjab rejected Congress in two elections. With regard to the AAP, the party came to Punjab only to exploit the political turmoil. Even the AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has been charged with "selling tickets" by his own partymen in Punjab. AAP came to Punjab only with ulterior motives. Now, they say they do not have money to contest polls. This means Kejriwal has accepted defeat. Q: You mentioned local AAP Punjab leaders being not happy with Kejriwal? A:You see, Kejriwal deliberately did not allow any local AAP leader to emerge and thus, Sucha Singh Chhottepur was removed from the post of Punjab AAP convener. This was done as Delhi Chief Minister and his coterie suffered "inferiority complex and felt insecure" about Punjab-based leaders of their own party. AAP also split as their elected MPs moved out of the party fold. Kejriwal is master in making false promises, now also he is promising moon. He forgets he failed to deliver whatever he promised in Delhi. And on Congress manifesto, I must say, the Congress manifesto was like 'Khayali pulao (wishful thinking)'. It was a simple "waste of paper". The Congress had never fulfilled the promise of loan waiver of farmers, it made in 1992. It seems they have not changed since then, and only relying on false promises and wishful thinking.